SectionsExhibitions important for new defense
Backfield spots up for grabs
Leah Randazzo
Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Sports
The Missouri State women's soccer team is losing more than just six seniors from the 2008 squad - it is losing much of its defensive line.
Even when coach Rob Brewer voiced his concerns, he still showed optimism for the 14 recruits and what is yet to come.
"We have an influx of new talent with nine players we signed to scholarship and another five that are going to walk on, so we have more to work with with the girls coming in," Brewer said.
He also pointed out that the 14 girls full of fresh momentum and intensity is a greater number than the girls that played in Friday's exhibition matchup against Missouri Southern.
The Bears showed no signs of sympathy during Friday's exhibition win over Missouri Southern at Plaster Field.
Even losing the entire defensive line, Brewer said the team has had to do some reworking to make adjustments.
"From losing out four-time first-team all-league goalkeeper, a center back and a holding midfielder, it's going to be different," he said. "But it's not as bad as starting from scratch. We have some girls who can defend and play."
Since the Bears' season ended last fall with a 3-1 loss to Evansville in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, returning players have been hard at work in the offseason with one thing in mind: Possession.
"Coach (Brewer) has definitely been stressing on it, and we have already greatly improved on it this season," said goalkeeper Jessica Teahan, who will be a redshirt sophomore this fall. "We have learned to be more patient with the ball and not force passes."
Brewer said that the possession belonged to the Bears in Friday's exhibition game against Missouri Southern.
"We've changed our style of play," he said. "We're holding the ball more.
I thought that was pretty good. I just really felt like we controlled the game."
Teahan said that the extra effort toward keeping possession will tire out the opposing defense giving the Lady Bears an opportunity to attack.
Teahan, along with other returning players, said the transition without the seniors will be tough.
"The players we lost were great and each had their own aspect to bring to the field so losing them is difficult," Teahan said.
The Bears have gone 3-2-1 in their spring exhibition schedule so far, something Brewer described as a good sign of what is to come.
Despite losing such vital players to the team's roster, there will be many returning starting players to help keep the game under consistence.
"We'll have Tara (Bailes) and Kelsey (Finders) up top, Sam (Aguilar) and Jenna (Dobkins) will both be seniors and will hold up our midfield," Brewer said.
"Jessica Smits will be a senior and has been a fixture in our back for a couple years. She will stay back there."
Even when coach Rob Brewer voiced his concerns, he still showed optimism for the 14 recruits and what is yet to come.
"We have an influx of new talent with nine players we signed to scholarship and another five that are going to walk on, so we have more to work with with the girls coming in," Brewer said.
He also pointed out that the 14 girls full of fresh momentum and intensity is a greater number than the girls that played in Friday's exhibition matchup against Missouri Southern.
The Bears showed no signs of sympathy during Friday's exhibition win over Missouri Southern at Plaster Field.
Even losing the entire defensive line, Brewer said the team has had to do some reworking to make adjustments.
"From losing out four-time first-team all-league goalkeeper, a center back and a holding midfielder, it's going to be different," he said. "But it's not as bad as starting from scratch. We have some girls who can defend and play."
Since the Bears' season ended last fall with a 3-1 loss to Evansville in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, returning players have been hard at work in the offseason with one thing in mind: Possession.
"Coach (Brewer) has definitely been stressing on it, and we have already greatly improved on it this season," said goalkeeper Jessica Teahan, who will be a redshirt sophomore this fall. "We have learned to be more patient with the ball and not force passes."
Brewer said that the possession belonged to the Bears in Friday's exhibition game against Missouri Southern.
"We've changed our style of play," he said. "We're holding the ball more.
I thought that was pretty good. I just really felt like we controlled the game."
Teahan said that the extra effort toward keeping possession will tire out the opposing defense giving the Lady Bears an opportunity to attack.
Teahan, along with other returning players, said the transition without the seniors will be tough.
"The players we lost were great and each had their own aspect to bring to the field so losing them is difficult," Teahan said.
The Bears have gone 3-2-1 in their spring exhibition schedule so far, something Brewer described as a good sign of what is to come.
Despite losing such vital players to the team's roster, there will be many returning starting players to help keep the game under consistence.
"We'll have Tara (Bailes) and Kelsey (Finders) up top, Sam (Aguilar) and Jenna (Dobkins) will both be seniors and will hold up our midfield," Brewer said.
"Jessica Smits will be a senior and has been a fixture in our back for a couple years. She will stay back there."
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